The highest university degree, awarded for original research in any subject. From the Latin Philosophiae Doctor.

PhD full form: Doctor of Philosophy

Q: What is the full form of PhD?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy.

How to say it: letter by letter.

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, from the Latin Philosophiae Doctor. It is the highest degree that universities award, and it is given for original research.

"Philosophy" does not mean the subject

A person can earn a PhD in physics, history, engineering, Hindi literature or almost any field. Here "philosophy" keeps its old meaning, love of knowledge, from the time when it covered all higher learning. Only a PhD in philosophy is about philosophy.

What a PhD involves

A research scholar works for several years under a guide, also called a supervisor.
The scholar studies what is already known, finds a question that has not been answered, and investigates it.
The work is written up in a long document called a thesis or dissertation.
Experts examine the thesis, and the scholar defends it in an oral examination, the viva voce.

The point of the degree is a new contribution to knowledge, however small. That is what separates it from a master's degree, which shows mastery of what is already known.

Using the title "Dr"

A person with a PhD may write "Dr" before their name or "PhD" after it, but not both together: Dr Meera Nair, or Meera Nair, PhD. This "Dr" is an academic title. It is different from the "Dr" of a medical doctor, whose basic degree is MBBS.

Related full forms

MPhil: Master of Philosophy.
NET: National Eligibility Test.
JRF: Junior Research Fellowship.
DLitt: Doctor of Letters, a higher doctorate.
DSc: Doctor of Science, a higher doctorate.

Writing it

The usual form is PhD, with a small h and no full stops. Ph.D. is also accepted. Both are said letter by letter.

More degrees and courses full forms

All degrees and courses Next: ISRO explained

Check what matters. These pages explain names and terms in general. Rules, dates, fees and limits change: take them from the official body. Read on 12 November 2026.